Release Detail

October 5, 2005 - New York State Voters Back Transportation Bond Act,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Bush Approval Drops To New Low

By a 56 - 36 percent margin, New York State voters support the $2.9 billion transportation
bond act on the November 8 ballot, with strongest support in New York City and its
suburbs, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

By a 48 - 33 percent margin, with 20 percent undecided, New York State voters
support a proposed constitutional amendment to shift some of the state budget-making
power from the Governor's office to the State Legislature.

"The public debate over ballot questions really hasn't started yet. Still, an early look
shows voters favor the transportation bond issue, while they are less enthusiastic about, or
just don't understand, the constitutional amendment on state budget power," said Maurice
Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

New York state and local governments spend too little on Medicaid, 41 percent of
voters say, while 24 percent say they spend too much and 21 percent say they spend the
right amount.

But 81 percent of voters say the state should do more to curb Medicaid fraud.

"Albany is just starting to focus on charges of Medicaid fraud and four out of five
voters think the state isn't doing enough to curb it," Carroll said.
Bush Approval

President Bush's previous low point was a 61 - 33 percent disapproval in a May 5
Quinnipiac University poll.

"President Bush's low approval rating in New York mirrors lows Quinnipiac
University polls have found in neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania over the last 10
days," Carroll said.

By a 64 - 31 percent margin, New York State voters say going to war in Iraq was
the wrong thing to do.

From September 26 - October 2, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,219 New York
State registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job
as President?

21. There is a proposed Constitutional amendment on this year's New York State
ballot that would take away some of the governor's power over the budget process
and give it to the legislature. Do you support or oppose this Constitutional
amendment?